The entertainment fraternity in Limpopo is in deep mourning following the death of a famous comedian, whose only desire was to make people laugh.

Promise Mafheda (21) of Khubvi village, outside Thoboyandou, could miaow like a cat, ring like a telephone, bark like dog, sing like a bird, buzz like a bee and imitate any animal you could think of, using his miraculous mouth. He was a familiar figure at government functions, social gatherings and arts festivals where he thrilled anyone with his unique and amazing skills, which earned him respect in the Limpopo entertainment world. Phones never stopped ringing when he was recently featured live on air on Phalaphala FM as listeners were highly impressed with his talent. His dreams of making it into the film industry were reduced to zero, following his unexpected death.

Also an emergency care practitioner with the Musina Emergency Medical Services, Mafheda met his death while driving a patient from Musina to Polokwane. His ambulance crashed into two trees, about five kilometers outside Polokwane, and it rolled for several times before coming to rest on the other side of the road on Friday. The patient and the nurse were lucky to survive, but the paramedics could not succeed in saving the comedian’s life.

He only joined the emergency services on October 9, last year. What is more painful is that the comedian was buried on Saturday, the day on which he was supposed to celebrate his 22nd birthday.

While still alive, he would always say: "We are engulfed with so many troubles on earth and we need to get time to laugh. God gave us different talents and mine is unique. My only desire is to make people laugh."

The comedian’s grieving mother, Mrs Rose Mposhomali (41), is battling to come to terms with her child’s death. "I cannot believe that my wonderful and talented boy is gone. Death has really robbed me of a wonderful gift from whom I was still expecting much. He was my first-born son and his two siblings were sure that he would bring some changes in the family." Rose said she went to see her son’s body after the accident. "His head was seriously crushed and I only recognized him by his cheek. This is one of the difficult times in my life and it will take time before I come back to my senses."

Promise was born at Tshitereke village in 1984. He did his primary school education in Tshdzume, Mianzwi and Luaname. He completed his Grade 12 at Gumani Technical High School in 2003. He went on to study electrical engineering at Techniven before completing his Basic Ambulance Assistant Course with the Limpopo Ambulance Training Academy earlier last year.

During his funeral, which was held at Khubvi sports field on Saturday, speakers described Promise as a born entertainer and hard worker whose unique talent will be missed by everyone.

Family representative Leah Razwiedani said: "Promise represented a blossoming flower in our family and we will always be proud of him, although he is no longer with us. In his short life, he made a huge mark and he became very famous, even outside the borders of our province. Although it is hard to accept his death, we will always put our trust in God because He knows why he took him away at this time.

Co-worker Raphahlela Mohale said the Emergency Care Practitioners Services had lost a zealous soldier who was always ready to complete a given task. "He left a void which will be difficult to fill. We employ people for service delivery but we are saddened when we loose some of our staff members at very young ages. Like the family, we are also deeply touched by his death because he was part of our big family at work."

Pastor Joseph Mutambedzo of the Living Gospel World Mission Church conducted a sermon before Promise was finally laid to rest at Khubvi graveyard.